COLOR CORRECTION METHOD AND COLOR CORRECTION APPARATUS

A color correction method in which an input image is corrected to generate an output image with an illumination condition different from that in the input image includes: detecting a region of a particular subject from the input image to extract color information on the region; restoring a spectral distribution of illumination in the input image by using the extracted color information and a surface reflectance of the particular subject designated in advance, calculating a spectral distribution of illumination in the output image by using the restored spectral distribution of illumination in the input image and the spectral distribution of designated target illumination, and calculating color information on each pixel of the output image on the basis of color information on each pixel of the input image, the restored spectral distribution of illumination in the input image and the calculated spectral distribution of illumination in the output image.